The Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempt to break their eight-game losing streak when they travel to the home of the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on Saturday and the game can be seen on FOX. Tampa Bay is 4-10 overall and 2-2 in the division. Carolina is a 7.5 point favorite and has a 5-9 overall record and 1-3 division record.
In their previous meeting in week 13, the Buccaneers fell, 38-19. Mike Williams racked up 93 yards on five passes.
The Buccaneers enter the game fresh off a 31-15 loss against the Cowboys. Josh Freeman went 17 for 27 for 148 yards through the air, one score and no picks. The Panthers are coming off a win over the Texans, 28-13. Jordan Senn registered 14 tackles and one interception. Another solid outing came from Steve Smith, who scored once in addition to 82 yards on five catches.
The Buccaneers' run defense surrenders an average of 141.1 yards per game, 30th in the league, and may provide Carolina with a better running attack.
| Buccaneers Passing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | Int |
| C | 75.7 | J. Freeman | 287 | 468 | 3,044 | 13 | 18 |
| B | 83.3 | J. Johnson | 19 | 36 | 246 | 1 | 2 |
| Panthers Passing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | Int |
| A | 94.3 | C. Newton | 283 | 475 | 3,722 | 17 | 16 |
| Buccaneers Rushing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Att | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| B | 83.6 | L. Blount | RB | 176 | 758 | 4.3 | 5 |
| C | 75.7 | J. Freeman | QB | 46 | 220 | 4.8 | 3 |
| C+ | 78.4 | E. Graham | RB | 37 | 206 | 5.6 | 0 |
| Panthers Rushing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Att | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| C+ | 78.1 | D. Williams | RB | 141 | 717 | 5.1 | 5 |
| A | 94.3 | C. Newton | QB | 114 | 609 | 5.3 | 13 |
| B- | 81.5 | J. Stewart | RB | 126 | 594 | 4.7 | 3 |
| Buccaneers Receiving Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Rec | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| B | 82.2 | M. Williams | WR | 60 | 701 | 11.7 | 3 |
| B | 84.6 | K. Winslow | TE | 62 | 644 | 10.4 | 2 |
| C | 75.0 | P. Parker | WR | 35 | 464 | 13.3 | 3 |
| Panthers Receiving Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Rec | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| A | 95.7 | S. Smith | WR | 72 | 1,299 | 18.0 | 6 |
| B- | 81.4 | G. Olsen | TE | 45 | 540 | 12.0 | 5 |
| C+ | 77.2 | B. LaFell | WR | 31 | 483 | 15.6 | 2 |
